The Big Boreal Adventure is an accessible, nature-based scavenger hunt. Using our free guidebook and adventure map, discover and explore natural places in Thunder Bay, all year long.

You may register and pick up your very own free copy of the guidebook and map at one of our local libraries or other distribution sites (find a list of distribution sites on the FAQ Page)

Please note that the William's Bog post is going to be moved in order to make it more easily accessible.

Get Out & Go!

The Big Boreal Adventure is an interactive way to encourage people to get outside, explore, have fun with family & friends, and learn about natural areas in the city of Thunder Bay. This is the Big Boreal Adventure’s third year, and we are bigger and better than ever with more community partners, five new sites to discover, and a brand new book.

Here’s the scoop.

Grab your guidebook and map.
Begin when ready.

Each of our 35 sites has a cedar post with a plaque on top. The plaques have been designed by local artists and depict a relevant, nature-based picture.

The guidebook offers information about each site, as well as a clue that gives hints that will lead you to the post. There are blank pages in the guidebook so that you can make a rubbing from the post into your book.

The goal is to visit each site, find each post, and make rubbing from the post into your guidebook.

Take your kids, go with your parents, or head out with friends to check out these unique sites, hand-picked by some of Thunder Bay's nature enthusiasts.

Good luck & have fun!

Also exciting and new: Geocaching!

Geocaching (pronouced: geo-cash-ing) is like an outdoor treasure hunt for people all over the world. The Big Boreal Adventure has made geocaching easy and accessible for everyone to participate in. There are 9 geocaches near one of our posts and more to come! Use your own GPS or a compass or borrow it from the library to find these special treasures.